Supporting Clients in Pursuing Green Careers: A Path to Purpose and Sustainability

– By Ksenia Lazoukova and Lori A. Jazvac –

As climate change reshapes our world, the demand for a sustainable, low-carbon economy increases. The workforce must evolve to meet this challenge, and Career Development Professionals (CDPs) are pivotal in guiding job seekers toward green jobs—roles that contribute to environmental sustainability.

The Rise of Green Careers: A Growing Sector Full of Opportunities

Green jobs, often referred to as roles that contribute to environmental sustainability, are no longer niche. They span industries such as renewable energy, environmental consulting, urban planning, and sustainability analytics.

Canada’s clean energy sector will likely generate over half a million jobs by 2030, driven by government investments and initiatives and a growing private sector demand for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. Youth and career changers are drawn to these roles, seeking more job security, fulfillment, and alignment with their values.

Career professionals can help job seekers by guiding them in aligning passions with market needs, developing skills, and navigating the green job landscape.

Helping Clients Find Purposeful Work

CDPs are instrumental in helping clients pursue green careers that reflect their values concerning innovation, sustainability, efficiency, and waste management, which involves:

• Exploring Personal Values: Help clients identify causes they care about and the impact they wish to make.
• Engaging in Career Storytelling: Support clients in crafting narratives that link their education and experience to vital sustainability goals.
• Highlighting Impact: Encourage clients to define their impact and SMART goals, whether reducing carbon emissions or influencing policy.

This approach clarifies career goals while connecting professionals to broader and critical environmental missions.

Identifying Transferable Skills

Many mid-career professionals fear they lack the necessary skills for green jobs. However, CDPs can ease this concern by helping clients identify their transferable skills:

• Technical Skills: Professionals with backgrounds in trades, engineering, IT, and related fields can pivot to renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental technology.
• Soft Skills: Project management, communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement are key marketable skills in sustainability roles.
• Sector Crossover: Hospitality, marketing, and logistics sectors offer opportunities in sustainable tourism, green branding, and circular supply chains.
• Employer Buying Motivators and Value Proposition: Teach and support clients to extract and connect their relevant professional and personal expertise and added value to the employers’ pain points.

By identifying transferable skills, CDPs can help clients confidently transition into rewarding green careers.

Building Future-Ready Skills

Continual skill development is essential for thriving in the green economy. Clients can upskill through low-cost or free programs, such as:

• Eco Canada: Certifications and training for environmental professionals.
• Future Skills Centre: Programs targeting green economy competencies.
• LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, CICan: Courses in climate science, green building standards (like LEED), and sustainable supply chains.

Encouraging clients to pursue upskilling ensures they are prepared to embrace emerging opportunities.

Guiding Career Exploration

The green job market can be overwhelming, but CDPs can help clients by presenting key resources:

• Job Platforms: Green Economy Canada and Job Bank Canada offer sustainability-driven opportunities.
• Growth Sectors by Region: Provinces, such as British Columbia and Quebec, lead in clean energy, while Alberta invests in carbon capture and transition.
• Industry Organizations: Groups like BioTalent Canada and Electricity Human Resources Canada offer insights into trends, certifications, and networking.

Access to these resources helps clients make informed decisions and target high-growth sectors.

Creating an Inclusive Green Workforce

A sustainable green economy must be inclusive. CDPs must ensure access to green careers for marginalized groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, religious minority groups, racialized people, and people with disabilities. Strategies include:

• Promoting access to green training for underrepresented groups.
• Connecting clients with employers committed to inclusive hiring.
• Recommending co-op programs, green social enterprises, and community-based projects.

By fostering diverse representation, CDPs help build a more inclusive workforce.

Exploring Green Jobs: A Growing Market

The demand for green jobs is expanding and diversifying. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) predicts that the renewable energy sector could employ over 85 million people by 2030. In Canada, green opportunities span renewable energy, environmental consulting, and sustainable business practices.

For job seekers, key sectors include:

• Renewable Energy: Growing roles in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
• Sustainable Business Practices: Companies hire sustainability officers, supply chain managers, and environmental auditors to implement eco-friendly practices.
• Environmental Consulting: Consultants in waste management, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance, such as energy auditors or sustainability consultants, are in high demand.

CDPs can help job seekers access these opportunities through resources, including the Green Jobs Network, Eco Canada, and training programs.

Supporting Green Entrepreneurship

For aspiring entrepreneurs, the green economy offers vast opportunities. Green energy startups, eco-tourism ventures, and sustainability consulting firms are booming. CDPs can guide aspiring entrepreneurs in business planning, funding, and certifications, like B Corporation status. Such programs meet high social and environmental performance standards and can help job seekers learn how to create and grow a thriving business.

Action Planning: How Career Professionals Can Help Job Seekers Prepare for Green Jobs

Ten action items that CDPs can do to support job-seeking clients in the green sector include:

1. Assessing Values & Interests

• Help clients align their values with green career options and assess their strengths to match suitable roles.

2. Career Exploration & Education

• Encourage curiosity and introduce various green industries.
• Recommend further relevant education and/or certifications.
• Guide research and inspire exploration through community resources, online courses, or workshops.

3. Building Green Career Networks

• Role model and teach networking skills, including connecting with industry professionals, conducting informational interviews, and nurturing professional connections.
• Motivate clients to join local chambers of commerce and green organizations.
• Suggest that clients attend industry events and workshops to develop meaningful connections and stay updated on relevant trends.

4. Tailoring Job Search to Specific Green Roles

• Direct clients to explore green job platforms and sustainability-driven employers.
• Support job search strategies that target specific roles and align the client’s key skills and experience with those green roles.

5. Encouraging Personal Branding & A Robust Job Application Strategy

• Help clients craft customized resumes and cover letters, highlighting sustainability experience, transferable or marketable skills, and a personal “green” brand.

6. Job Shadowing, Volunteerism, and Internships

• Suggest job shadowing, volunteering, internships, or apprenticeships to gain practical experience and network in the green sector.
• Teach clients how to use this experience for professional references.

7. Support for Entrepreneurial Paths

• Guide clients interested in launching green startups or sustainability consulting to focus on eco-friendly business ideas.

8. Workplace Integration & Career Progression

• Assist clients in strategizing and creating short-term and long-term action plans.
• Aid clients in integrating a “sustainability focus” into their current roles.
• Leverage leadership opportunities.

9. Emphasizing Holistic Wellness & Mental Well-Being

• Encourage clients to maintain work-life balance and incorporate sustainability initiatives into their personal lives for long-term fulfillment.

10. Staying Informed and Adaptable

• Coach clients on how to stay updated on industry changes.
• Champion research, resilience, and adaptability skills in a dynamic green job market.

Conclusion: Empowering Clients for a Green Future

Green careers are job opportunities and pathways to driving global environmental efforts. CDPs must equip job seekers with the proper tools and resources to thrive in the green economy. By aligning purpose with practice, skill with opportunity, and aspiration with action, CDPs can empower clients to build careers that sustain themselves and the world around them.

Enrol in CPC’s courses or certification programs.to gain a solid foundation of Canadian career development practices and to support job-seekers holistically.

Additional Resources:

• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
• Certified Sustainability Professional Certification
• Sustainability at Work Survey
• Green Jobs Network
• Guide on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Terminology